Senate Fails To Address Nation's Environmental, Energy Needs

(31 July, 2003 — Washington, D.C.)    Environmental Defense today criticized a proposed deal in the U.S. Senate that would result in an energy policy favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy, lacking any real conservation measures, and failing to deal meaningfully with climate change.

“Finding environmentally friendly provisions in this bill is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Knowing what is in the House energy package, the conference process could only make it worse,” said Environmental Defense legislative director Elizabeth Thompson.  “This debate has been more painful than a root canal, and these last minute backroom deals will result in a bill that does virtually nothing to promote innovation, conservation or energy security.  America needs, and deserves a more open and full debate, and a better policy.”